James k



l. K. DAVIS.

EXTENSION STEP.

APPLlCATlON FILED NOV. 12, 191B.

1,315,933 Patented Sept. 9,1919.

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JAMES K. DAVIS, OF CHESTER, NEW JEZRSEYI .iix'rENsIoN-srm.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Sept. 9, 1919.

Application filed November. 12, 1918. Serial No. 262,215.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES K. Davis, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chester, in the countyof Morri and State of New Jersey, have inventedcertaln new and useful Improvements in Extension steps, of which the following is a specification. p

This invention has relation to steps for cars and other types of public carriers and vehicles generally wherein the steps have an extension whi' h may be pro ected into operative position or folded when not required for immediate servlce thereby reducing the length of the steps so as to avoid their coming in contact with an object.

The invention relates more particularly to the means whereby the extension step is connected to the main step and is braced when extended so as to sustain the weight and strain to which the step will be sub ected when in service.

The invention has for its object to com-' bine with the extension step'novel locking 'means for securing the step in folded position, said locking means being disposed for convenience of manipulation and so as to be out of the way when the step is extended or folded.

The invention furthermore aims. to provide novel connecting means between the exv tension step and the main steps which are self locking when the extension step is projected and which are operable when the extension step is folded thereby enabhng the .operation to be performed by one hand.

The drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions, various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details l of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention as claimed hereinafter. I

Referring to the accompanying draw ings:

Figure l is a perspective view of an cxtension step embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the step as-seen from below, the side pieces being in section to show more clearly the engagement therewith of the locking e ements,

Fi 3 is a sectional detail. showing the relation of the parts when the extension step is in folded position, and

Fig. l is a view similar to Fig. 3 show ing the relation of the parts when the era any positlon. The folding brace is connected to the step in any manner and preferably is tension step is projected into operative position.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the several views of the'drawing by like reference characters.

The main steps are of usual construction and comprlse side pieces 1 and treads 2.

The extension step 3 is connected to the lowermost tread of the main steps so as to fold beneath the lowermost tread thereof as indicated most clearly in Fig. 3. A plurality of connecting means are utilized for attaching the extension step to the lowermost tread of the. main steps and each of these means embodies a lock joint so as to hold the extension step in horizontal position when projected. The connecting means embodies a folding brace and hinge members. The folding brace is centrally dis posed Whereas the hinge members are lo-' cated at or near the ends of the extension step. The folding brace comprises complemental members 4: and 5 which are connected by means of a rule joint 6 so as to hold the extension step projected against possible displacement when in active provided at its ends with straps 7 which are steps. On reference to Fig. 4:, it will be observed that the pivot onnection 8 between the folding brace and the extension step 3 is disposed about in line with the lower rear corner ofthe extension step and this is of advantage as will. appear more fully hereinafter. I

The hinge connections between the exten sion step and the main steps are duplicates; hence a detailed description of one will sufties for a full understanding of both. Each hinge connection comprises members 9 and it) which are hingedly connected at 11 in any manner and each member isprovided with an oblique extension 12 and 13 respec' tively. The extensions 12 and 13 are disposed to abut when the extension step 3 is lowered into operative position as indicated most clearly in Fig. l. The extensions 12 and 13 are of sumcient length to insure. a bracing connection and to limit the relative unfolding of the extension step. The hinge joint 11 is disposed at the upper rear corner of the extension step as indicated most secured to the under side-of the extension step 3 and the lowermost tread of the main lllli lld clearly in Fig. 4. As a result of the disposition of the hinge joints8 and 11, the extension step when in the act of folding will have its rear edge come in contact with themember of the folding brace and a continued movement ofthe extension step in the act of folding will break the joints between the members 4 and 5 of the folding brace and admit of the step 3 folding so as to underlie the lowermost tread of the main steps as indicated mostclearly in Fig. 3. It

will thus be understoodthat it is not necessary to employ one hand to break the joints between the: members of the folding, brace when it is required to fold the extension step since such result is automatically brought about by the contact of the extension step with themember 5 of the folding brace in the manner stated. The extensions 12 and 13 of the respective members 9 and 10 con stitute integral portions of such members.

When the extension step is folded, it is made secure by lockin -means, the same comprising oppositely dlsposed bars 14:,and

15 and an operating bar 16, the latter being pivoted intermediate of its ends as indicated 1 at 17. The operating bar 16 is provided at its forward end with a finger piece 18 for convenience of manipulating the locking means. It is preferred not to have the opcrating bar project beyond the forward edge I ment of the extension step is prevented by projecting ends of the locking bars as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. When extension step 3 is in folded position, it underlies the lowermost tread of the main steps and isretained 1n place by the locking means herein indicated. When the extension step is projected 1n the operative position, it appears substantlally as 1nd1- cated in Figs. 1 and4. Downward movethe abutting of the oblique extensions 12' and 13 and rearward movement of the extension .step is prevented by the folding brace. The

folding brace breaks joint by a rearward movement; hence when folding the extension step the latter is elevated at its forward end and when reaching a position about at a right angle to the length of the folding brace, the rear edge of the extension step comes in contact with the member 5 and a continued movement of the extension step breaks thejoint of the folding brace thereby admitting of the extension step folding into closed position when it is made secure by the locking means in the manner set forth.

The foregoing description and the drawings have reference to what may be considered the preferred or approved form of my invention. Itis to be understood that I may make such changes in construction and arrangement and combination of parts, materials, dimensions, etc., as may prove expedient and fall within the scope of the appended claims. u Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is A 1. In combination with main and extension steps, a member pivoted to the main steps and having a rear oblique extension at its lower end, a member secured to the extension step and pivoted to the pivoted member and having an oblique extension at its rear end to coact with the oblique extension of the pivoted member to hold the extension step projected,- and a folding brace comprising members connected by means of a rule joint and pivotally connected to the steps and adapted to have the rule joint broken by the extension step when folding it.

2. In combination with main and exten sion steps, a member pivoted to the forward edge of the lowest tread of the main steps and having a rear oblique extension at 1ts lower end, a member connected to the extension step and pivoted to the pivoted member and having an obli ue extension at its rear to coactwith the o lique extension of the pivoted member and a folding brace pivoted to the rear of the lower tread of the main steps-and to the rear of the extension steps and connected by means of a rule oint which is adapted to break rearward and 'downward automatically by the action of the extension step when folding 1t.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- JAMES K. DAVIS. Witnesses:

JOHN-FLEMING, ELIZABETH DAVIS. 

